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LOT 3397
Extremely Desirable World
War II Painted USAAF A-2
Flight Jacket Identified
to 97th Fighter Squadron
P-38 Pilot - This large World
War II grouping, including
a painted A-2 flight jacket,
belonged to Lockheed
P-38 Lightning pilot Joseph
Scherer of Cleveland, Ohio.
He was a member of the 97th
Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group,
flying out of North Africa and Italy, and
assigned to the 12th Air Force and later
the 15th Air Force. A-2 flight jackets
belonging to P-38 pilots are highly
sought after, and this grouping makes
for an exciting addition to any aviation
collection.
The highlight of the grouping is
Scherer’s A-2 jacket. It was manufactured
by Perry Sportswear, is a size 38, has a Conmar
zipper, and has his service no. “S2498” stamped in ink on the lining near the data
label. The back of the jacket serves as the leather canvas for artwork depicting a
P-38 painted in black.
Other items that comprise this grouping:
A great Italian made white silk scarf embroidered with the 97th FS emblem, the devil cat. A photograph of Scherer taken
in front of his P-38. Copies of military service paperwork (certificate of service, enlistment record, honorable discharge, and
certificate of service). Dress uniform jacket featuring USAAF officer lapel insignia, pilot wing badge, two ribbon bars (Air
Medal with Oak Leaf and ETO with four campaign stars), and bullion 15th AF patch. Dress Uniform jacket featuring a 4th
AF patch (as noted in his included pocket flight journal, Scherer trained in California with the 4th AF in P-39s). Scherer’s
handwritten mission diary log describes bombing runs, escort missions, an encounter with the world’s first operational
jet powered fighter aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me 262, and more. Officer’s crusher cap named to Scherer. Two overseas
caps identified to Scherer by his service number. Two neck ties. Three pairs of trousers marked with Scherer’s name. Four
patched shirts. Two extra sets of wings along with other metal insignia. Cased Air Medal.
Equipped with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, the 97th Fighter Squadron was attached to the 12th Air Force and arrived in
Algeria a month after the initial Allied landings in North Africa. The squadron flew antisubmarine patrols, served as bomber
escorts, and attacked enemy shipping and airfields. As the North Africa campaign drew to a close the squadron turned its
attention to Italy. On April 25, 1943 squadron earned it first Distinguished Unit Citation for actions taken during an attack
on airfields in Foggia. The bombing of Foggia was in preparation for Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Italy. The
squadron earned a second Distinguished Unit Citation for escorting bombers on a mission against marshalling yards near
Naples. Once the squadron moved to Italy, it was reassigned to the 15th Air Force and provided fighter cover for heavy
bombers. A third Distinguished Unit Citation was received
by the squadron for actions taken during an attack on
oil refineries in Ploiesti, Romania. The 97th FS was
credited for destroying 146 enemy aircraft.
CONDITION: The A-2 jacket is good and displays
authentic wear consistent with heavy use and
spending time in a cramped P-38 cockpit in the
skies over North Africa and Italy. Much of the
original paint remains on the back of the jacket.
The other items of clothing are very good to
fine. Now is your chance to own a rare piece to
the P-38 legacy.
Provenance: The Saloga Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3396
Identified World War II USAAF
827th Bomb Squadron
B-24 Gunner’s Painted
A-2 Flight Jacket - This
World War II USAAF
grouping of a painted
A-2 flight jacket,
two uniform jackets,
and other items
are the personal
effects of Sergeant
Phillip L. Fritz, who
was assigned to
the 827th Bomb
Squadron, 484th
Bombardment
Group, 15th Air
Force. Equipped
with Consolidated
B-24 Liberators, the
827th BS participated
in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany in the Mediterranean Theater. The squadron
flew against targets in Italy, the Balkans, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, and France from
April 1944 until Germany surrendered in May 1945 and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations. At
times the squadron diverted from strategic targets to assist troops advancing on to Rome by bombing
bridges, supply depots, and marshalling yards and transported supplies to troops taking part in the
invasion of southern France. The squadron was inactivated in theater in July 1945.
Fritz’s A-2 jacket is a highly creative example of leather canvas featuring several painted leather patches
and great artwork covering the back. The jacket was made by J.A. Dubow Manufacturing Co., is a size
38, and has a Talon zipper. The left chest carries Fritz leather name tag along with a painted aerial
gunner’s wing. Below the name tag is a painted patch featuring both the 484th BG bow tie insignia and
buzzard with a .50 caliber machine gun insignia used by three of the four squadrons attached to the
484th BG. On the right chest is a very unique and custom patch depicting a B-24 nose turret gunner.
The left sleeve carries another painted leather patch. This patch has the 15th AF insignia along with a
winged star, “MINNESOTA” (Fritz’s home state), and “484 B.G. 827 B.SQ.” The right sleeve carries a painted
leather American flag. The back of the jacket serves as the leather canvas for a painted B-24 with
484th BG markings flying above eight flak bursts. Six of the flak bursts expose the names of European
countries: Italy, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. Two enlisted man’s uniform
coats are included and each coat features 15th AF and USAAF sleeve patches, sergeant rank chevrons,
and enlisted lapel insignia. The “Ike” coat has an aerial gunner’s wing badge and three ribbons (Air
Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Medal with three stars). Fritz’s dog tags and extra metal and cloth insignia are also included. Consignor
reports that Fritz was possibly a crewman to the B-24 “Sleep Toe.”
CONDITION: The A-2 jacket is very good with authentic wear. The patches display nicely with much
of the paint remaining. The artwork on
the back remains highly attractive. The
leather is supple. The uniform
coats are fine. An identified
B-24 gunner’s A-2 jacket with
highly creative artwork that
will look great in aviation
collection.
Provenance: The Saloga
Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000